WASHINGTON — At an Irish pub popular among those who work on Capitol Hill, a coffin covered in black was placed across from the bar where people order pints of beer.
The attendees, former and current Republicans who once worked on Capitol Hill, gathered for a traditional Irish wake in honor of the political party they said they once knew.
“We said we should get together and have a drink and toast the death of party, as we sit here and watch it dying on us,” said Chris Scheve, one of the event organizers.
Those who walked into The Dubliner in downtown D.C. were initially greeted by a wreath with white flowers surrounding a sign that read “R.I.P. GOP.” On the bar, jelly beans — a favorite of former President Ronald Reagan — were available for those in attendance.
Also at the wake were Democrats who got word of the event and wanted to see what it is all about.
“I am fully supportive of the Republicans that are saying Trump is not the direction that we want to go,” said Democrat Angelina McIntire, of Vienna, Virginia.
A picture of Ronald Reagan sat in front of the small coffin next to portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The event took place on the night that Donald Trump accepted the GOP’s nomination in Cleveland. Most of those toasting the party are upset that Donald Trump is the Republican Party’s choice for President of the United States.
“More and more Republicans are standing up and saying we will not be part of Donald Trump’s America,” said Andrew Weinstein, another event organizer.
Weinstein was a former deputy press secretary to House Speaker Newt Gingrich and was the director of media relations for Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign.
“I am willing to vote for a woman who I disagree with on nearly every issue because I fear the threat of electing Donald Trump is so significant,” Weinstein said.
